Chapter 115: Vortex Eye

Chapter 115: The Eye of the Vortex

An eagle's cry echoed across the sky. Everyone looked up to see a group of people dressed in knight's armor standing on royal griffins, majestic and imposing, landing in unison.

The leader was Zhang Lin. He dismounted from the griffin, saluted the town chief, and said, "Zhang Lin, commander of the Seventh Knights of Klotant Kingdom, responding to the signal to support Moon Bay."

The town chief had not seen him for a long time and was pleasantly surprised: "Zhang Lin? You've become a commander already?"

Zhang Lin grinned. "We'll catch up later. I heard there's a weird magic circle in the Magic Forest. Let's deal with that first."

He looked at Ling Qingjue, smiled, and asked, "Where's the circle? Our Knights will handle it."

Ling Qingjue was impatient, his tone growing even worse: "Get lost."

Zhang Lin raised an eyebrow. "Even crankier today. What's wrong, what's got into you? Swallow a firecracker?"

"Don't follow me," Ling Qingjue wasn't in the mood to argue. "Your Knights are completely useless. Following me will only get you killed. This is my territory, it's none of you outsiders' business to meddle."

"So arrogant?" Zhang Lin sneered. "This area belongs to the Klotant Kingdom. Our Knights are under the King's command, duty-bound to guard the territory and protect the citizens. What makes you think we're outsiders?"

"I told you to get lost. Don't you understand?" Ling Qingjue was at his limit of patience, each word spoken with force. "This is my business."

Zhang Lin was about to say something more, but the town chief patted his shoulder and shook his head.

No use forcing him.

That was Ling Qingjue's nature; no one could change what he had decided. He believed he could protect Moon Bay on his own, and now that Moon Bay had fallen, he was about to explode, insisting on resolving it himself.

If others interfered, he would probably explode.

Zhang Lin sighed. He had to give face to the town chief. "Alright, I'll lead the Knights to wait here on standby. If you haven't resolved it within twenty-four hours, we'll act according to regulations."

"Won't take that long." Ling Qingjue's knuckles cracked. "Ten minutes at most."

He casually swiped a hand, tearing open the space before him, revealing a new teleportation channel.

Jia Zhao was even more envious. "How can he rip through space so easily!"

Just as Ling Qingjue was about to step into the spatial rift, Meng Shu grew uneasy. His eyelid wouldn't stop twitching—that magic circle sounded terrifying. Even Ling Qingjue hadn't sensed it, so it must be no simple matter.

A weird feeling made Meng Shu rush over and grab Ling Qingjue's sleeve, his voice trembling, "Cat... how about we go together? Or bring the Knights. I have a bad feeling about this..."

Ling Qingjue stared at him expressionlessly.

Meng Shu steeled himself and went on, "The Knights aren't as weak as you think. We can help."

"Meng Shu." Ling Qingjue's voice was cold as ice, devoid of emotion, "All seventy-two of your Knights attacking me at once couldn't even scratch my defense."

He was telling the truth.

Meng Shu still held onto his sleeve, cold sweat dripping down his forehead, his throat going tight, "I know... but I..."

I'm really uneasy. I'm afraid something will happen to you.

"If I can't handle this, what makes you think they'd be any help?" Ling Qingjue's expression was dark and icy. If Meng Shu weren't his boyfriend, he would have flung him dozens of yards away.

Because they were dating, Ling Qingjue held back his temper, softening his tone slightly, "You know what I am. I'll be right back."

Meng Shu had so much to say. He tightened his grip, trying to sound calm, and spoke softly, "If you don't want to take them, can you take me? I'll be very obedient. I'll just follow behind you..."

Afraid Ling Qingjue would refuse, he stammered, trying to be cute, "I've never seen anything like this. I'm curious. Take me along... What if it helps me get stronger?"

Ling Qingjue stared at him for a moment, then just said, "...Whatever."

With that, he stepped into the spatial rift.

Meng Shu let out a sigh of relief. He turned and gave the Knights a salute, "I'll go with him. Rest assured, brothers, the mission will be completed."

The Knights all knew about their relationship and knew how strong Ling Qingjue was, so they didn't stop him. "Go ahead. We've got a dinner date tonight. Make it back in time for a bite."

Meng Shu smiled. "Sure, I'll be there."

He followed into the spatial rift, and the rift sealed, space going back to normal.

He was teleported to the Magic Forest. Ling Qingjue had arrived ahead of him, standing in the center of the forest. Before him was a violet-black vortex radiating dark energy, like a ferocious eye.

Before he even got close, Meng Shu was wounded by the demonic energy emanating from the vortex. He quietly used a recovery potion and equipped gear to strengthen his defense.

Ling Qingjue looked up at the vortex.

Compared to the vortex, Ling Qingjue's figure appeared so small and fragile.

Fighting off the discomfort, Meng Shu walked up to Ling Qingjue. "Is this the magic circle?"

Ling Qingjue said, "Yes."

"What do you plan to do?"

"I took a swing at it. Nothing. The power gets absorbed. It seems like a dungeon. Unless we go in and beat it, we can't shut it down."

Dungeons are places the system sets up for adventurers to level up, where you might get high-level gear and skills.

But dungeons only show up in specific spots, and monsters never escape from them.

Ling Qingjue cracked his wrists, his eyes faintly gleaming with excitement, his voice twisted and strained: "Finally, a real opponent."

"I'm going in to wreck it."

Meng Shu's eyelid twitched again.

That ominous feeling crept closer.